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USDA Expands Online Shopping for WIC Program, Enhancing Access for Mothers and Infants

USDA Expands Online Shopping for WIC Program, Enhancing Access for Mothers and Infants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a final rule to strengthen and expand online shopping options for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). This change, set to take effect on December 7, 2026, aims to provide greater access to healthy foods for rural mothers and children across the country. Save the Children, an advocacy organization, has applauded this initiative, noting that a pilot online shopping program demonstrated a strong preference for this method among participants. Eyang Garrison, Save the Children’s Managing Director of Domestic Policy, stated that this expansion will reduce barriers for rural and Tribal families and is expected to increase nationwide participation in the WIC program, which currently serves nearly 7 million families across the U.S.
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USDA Finalizes Rule to Modernize WIC Program with Online Shopping and Delivery Options

USDA Finalizes Rule to Modernize WIC Program with Online Shopping and Delivery Options

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has finalized a rule to modernize the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), allowing for online shopping and food delivery. This new rule, titled 'WIC Online Ordering and Transactions and Food Delivery Revisions to Meet the Needs of a Modern, Data-Driven Program,' aims to enhance program integrity and encourage innovation. It removes previous regulatory barriers that mandated in-person transactions and required WIC vendors to have a fixed physical location. The rule also supports the program's full transition to electronic benefit transfer (EBT) by streamlining and modernizing food delivery regulations and introducing secure technologies for food purchasing. The final rule will become effective on December 7, 2026, with some provisions requiring implementation by state agencies by February 4, 2027. This change makes online shopping, mobile pay, and remote benefit issuance permanent options for WIC state agencies, which were ...
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USDA Commits Over $382 Million to Strengthen U.S. Beef Industry Amid Low Cattle Levels

USDA Commits Over $382 Million to Strengthen U.S. Beef Industry Amid Low Cattle Levels

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, has announced a commitment of over $382 million to programs designed to bolster the nation’s struggling beef industry. This significant investment addresses two primary challenges faced by cattle producers: limited meat processing options and the costs associated with maintaining productive grazing land. Vice President JD Vance also shared in these announcements. With the U.S. cattle herd at historically low levels, this funding is part of a broader federal initiative to support ranchers, enhance grazing conditions, and increase meat processing capacity. Specifically, $57.4 million will fund 147 independent meat processing grants through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program, aiming to increase processing capacity and provide more options for producers. The remaining $325 million will support conservation projects via the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program, focusing on improvem...
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USDA and CFTC Enhance Oversight of U.S. Agricultural Markets Through New Agreement

USDA and CFTC Enhance Oversight of U.S. Agricultural Markets Through New Agreement

USDA and CFTC Enhance Oversight of U.S. Agricultural Markets Through New Agreement
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USDA Invests $3.3 Million to Expand Meat Processing Capacity in Montana and Wyoming

USDA Invests $3.3 Million to Expand Meat Processing Capacity in Montana and Wyoming

USDA Invests $3.3 Million to Expand Meat Processing Capacity in Montana and Wyoming
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USDA and CFTC Formalize Partnership to Safeguard U.S. Agricultural Markets

USDA and CFTC Formalize Partnership to Safeguard U.S. Agricultural Markets

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at protecting the integrity of American agricultural markets. This agreement, announced on November 5, 2026, seeks to enhance data sharing and improve access to risk management tools for farmers and ranchers. According to CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig, the partnership will strengthen protections for producers and ensure markets continue to serve the agricultural community. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized that faster and more transparent data sharing is crucial for navigating evolving markets. The MOU is expected to facilitate collaborative identification of risks and improve responses to market events, building on USDA's ongoing data modernization efforts. This initiative is part of a broader administration focus on breaking down barriers between government agencies to better serve customers.
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American Dairy Coalition Submits Fuel Relief Data to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins

American Dairy Coalition Submits Fuel Relief Data to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins

American Dairy Coalition Submits Fuel Relief Data to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins
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USDA Allocates $51.9 Million to Combat Feral Swine Across 13 States, Including $2.9 Million for Arkansas Projects

USDA Allocates $51.9 Million to Combat Feral Swine Across 13 States, Including $2.9 Million for Arkansas Projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has committed $51.9 million to 29 partnership projects across 13 states to address the threats posed by feral swine to agricultural producers. This investment is part of a larger $105 million initiative for the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program, a collaborative effort between USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). In Arkansas, two specific projects have been awarded $2.9 million. According to Arkansas State Conservationist Amanda Mathis, these projects are crucial for eradicating and controlling feral swine, which negatively impact plant and wildlife habitats, soil, water quality, and can transmit diseases to livestock and humans. The funding for these projects is provided by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, marking a significant long-term investment in NRCS conservation programs. Since 2020, NRCS has invested $92.9 million in 63 projects under this program, assisting ove...
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O'ahu Voters Approve New Food Security Fund, Allocating Property Tax Revenue for Local Food Initiatives

O'ahu Voters Approve New Food Security Fund, Allocating Property Tax Revenue for Local Food Initiatives

O'ahu voters have approved a charter amendment establishing a new Food Security Fund for the City and County of Honolulu. This fund will receive 0.5% of annual real property tax revenues. The primary purpose of the fund is to support programs and grants that provide locally grown and produced food to O'ahu residents. Additionally, it will allocate money for non-local products specifically during declared emergencies. This amendment does not introduce a new tax but rather integrates the Food Security Fund into the existing framework of special funds, which includes the Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund, the Affordable Housing Fund, the Climate Resiliency Fund, the Honolulu Zoo Fund, and the Grants in Aid Fund. Initial election results indicated strong public support, with nearly 75% of votes cast in favor of the measure. The passage of charter amendment questions requires more 'yes' votes than 'no' votes, excluding blank and over votes.
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USDA Designates 9 Alabama Counties as Natural Disaster Areas

USDA Designates 9 Alabama Counties as Natural Disaster Areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated nine counties in Alabama as natural disaster areas, effective November 4, 2026. This designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency loans to agricultural producers affected by natural disasters. These loans aim to assist farmers in recovering from losses by covering essential recovery needs, such as replacing equipment, repairing infrastructure, and addressing other critical expenses. The USDA's announcement underscores its commitment to supporting agricultural communities during challenging times.
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University of Arizona Offers Screwworm Testing Kits to Livestock Producers Amid Outbreak

University of Arizona Offers Screwworm Testing Kits to Livestock Producers Amid Outbreak

The University of Arizona (U of A) is providing New World screwworm testing kits to livestock producers at nearly all U of A Cooperative Extension locations to aid in detection efforts. This initiative comes as four cases of New World screwworm have been confirmed in Arizona, prompting animal health officials to monitor for the parasite and take steps to prevent its spread. The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, entering through open wounds and causing serious damage if left untreated. Flavie Audion, a rangeland management specialist at the University of Arizona, explained that the screwworm feeds on live flesh and can impact a wide range of animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, horses, dogs, cats, wildlife, and potentially humans. When a case is confirmed, officials establish a mandatory 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) Infested Zone around the detection, within which live animals cannot leave without authorization from the state veterinarian.
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Pennsylvania Rises to Second Nationally in Organic Agricultural Sales, Driven by State Investments

Pennsylvania Rises to Second Nationally in Organic Agricultural Sales, Driven by State Investments

Pennsylvania Rises to Second Nationally in Organic Agricultural Sales, Driven by State Investments